Kabir Adamu, who was fired by the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) for helping German technological giant Siemens AG pay millions of Euros as bribe money to top Nigerian government officials to influence the award of juicy power and telecommunications contracts, is now Nigeria’s top security and intelligence consultant, Pointblanknews investigations have revealed.
In November 2010, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Siemens AG alongside four Nigerian civil servants allegedly involved in a $17.5 million bribery scandal. The suspects were alleged to have between 2002 and 2006 accepted financial gratification in excess of 17.5 million euros from Siemens in a bid to influence the award of power and communication contracts.

The four persons were a former Director of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, Maigada Shuaibu, former Chief Executive Officer of M-Tel, Edwin Moore Momife, ex-General Manager of Finance in NITEL, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ossai and a former Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power and Steel, Mahmood Sadiq Mohammed.

Shortly after, Siemens agreed to pay the Nigerian government the sum of N7 billion as penal fines in return for the discontinuation of the criminal charges instituted against the company by the EFCC.

The Nigerian case wasn’t an isolated one. Around the world – from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Russia, and Mexico to Greece, Norway and Iraq – Siemens paid bribes to government officials and civil servants to help the company secure huge contracts.

The bubble burst for Siemens following a 2006 raid on the company headquarters by the German police. Following the US and German prosecutions, Siemens paid more than $1.6 billion in fines, penalties and disgorgement of profits, including $800 million to US authorities – the largest monetary sanction ever imposed in a case under America’s Foreign Corruption Practice Act since it was passed in 1977.

Back to the Nigerian scandal. Investigations revealed that in the early 2000s, Kabir Adamu, an officer of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), was routinely posted to the Nigerian embassy in Berlin, Germany. It was while serving there that he met Siemens officials who were scouring for middlemen to influence the award of power and communications contracts in their home countries. They found an ally in Adamu, the new NIA officer on Berlin.

Siemens sources disclosed that Adamu got over 750,000 Euros to facilitate meetings between their officials and those of the Nigerian government. Overnight, he became one of the richest Nigerians in Germany.

Pointblanknews.com checks revealed that Adamu’s sudden and inexplicable wealth became a source of worry to his colleagues at the Nigerian embassy in Berlin. So much so that it attracted the attention of their boss at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Magaji. However, at the time, nobody at the embassy could point to the source of Adamu’s sudden wealth, sources explained.

“When Ambassador Magaji, who passed on last October, tried to investigate how Adamu, a middle-cadre security operative came about the kind of money he was spending in Germany and in Nigeria, the young officer called his bluff.

“He boasted to his colleagues in the NIA that he wouldn’t respond to the query from Ambassador Magaji, and that heavens would not fall. That he had made enough money to last a lifetime, and cared less about their ‘nonsensical NIA and Nigeria.’

“When the National Security Adviser (NSA) (at the time), General Aliyu Gusau, tried to investigate reports on why such a relatively young officer in the intelligence service would be so unruly, Adamu didn’t budge. At this point, the NIA fired him,” offered impeccable NIA sources.

Former officials of Siemens who spoke to Pointblanknews.com on the matter, expressed surprise that no mention of Adamu was made in the course of investigating the scandal in Europe and in Nigeria.

“That the guy was able to elude investigators in Germany and Nigeria suggests that he must be very good at covering his tracks. More shocking is that he is now said to be the most respected and influential security and intelligence expert and consultant in West Africa,” one former Siemens official told Pointblanknews.com.

Upon returning to Nigeria, Adamu, in 2013, founded Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, which he calls “a Nigerian-owned security risk management and intelligence consulting company.”

According to the former spy, Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited “has been providing bespoke security intelligence, security risk management, and training to a range of clients.”

These clients, according to Beacon Security’s website, include British Council, Malaria Consortium, Frontline AIDS, Adam Smith International, and Concentric Advisors.

Also on the list are Irish-owned construction company PW Nigeria Ltd., UKAid, E-Health Africa, FSS Group, GIZ, and Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, among other organizations.

Investigations also revealed that Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited renders security consultancy for many super- rich Nigerians and expatriates.

Beacon’s founder, Kabir Adamu has, since insecurity spiked in 2015, been modeled by the Nigerian media as a security expert. Television and radio stations literally fall on themselves to get him on their shows. He has also won several awards on security.

SOLUTION OR PROBLEM?

Recently, however, there have been growing concerns in security circles on the activities and operations of

Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, and the claim of its founder to being a security expert.

“To begin with, Kabir Adamu spent a large part of his training in the NIA which deals with external or foreign intelligence. The Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services deal with internal security. It’s only in Nigeria can a dismissed officer of the NIA parade himself as an expert in the internet security challenges of Nigeria,” offered a retired Commissioner of Police.

“Even as a retired COMPOL, it is not all of my colleagues that can claim to be experts on security issues. For instance, an Infantry Colonel in the Army, who, though a trained military officer, is not trained to confront pirates at sea. That is the job of a Navy officer. That is, how it works. Even the DG of NIA cannot handle internal threats in Sokoto or in Anambra, because he’s not trained to do so,” he explained.

“It is sickening to see this retired or dismissed NIA operative talking everyday on television about military and DSS operations around the country. And you guys in the media are egging him on, dressing him in the borrowed robes of a security expert,” lamented the retired police officer, stressing, “this is wrong.”

A senior military intelligence officer disclosed that they had strong reasons to believe that Beacon Security Limited may have been deliberately manipulating security reports to create panic and swell it’s clientele.

He quoted two recent posts by the company on it’s X handle.

The first, posted on Wednesday, read “From threat detection to recovery support, @BeaconNg delivers unmatched pre- & post-incident intel. We forecast risks, guide response, and help after crises. We turn intel into action. Partner with @BeaconNg to stay informed, prepared & secure. Intel that works b4 & after impact.”

On Thursday, @BeaconNg posted this more incendiary message:

“Our communities are bleeding while politics takes center stage. It’s time to prioritize Public Safety Over Politics across Nigeria’s 774 LGAs. Security isn’t a campaign promise It is a human right. We must demand action, not slogans. Safe schools, roads, and farms can’t wait.”

The officer in the counterterrorism unit of the Nigerian police questioned the appropriateness of allowing a dismissed officer of any of the security agencies have a say in the security analysis of the same country.

He said, “if you examine recent reports of Beacon Security on insecurity, you’ll discover that it is not in consonance with the reports we are getting from other security agencies. The figures in Beacon’s reports are usually so inflated- some times as much as four times what is on ground.

“More worrying is that Kabir Usman, who owns Beacon Security, is a key member of Nigeria’s Presidential Priority Data for National Security. This shouldn’t be, more so, as it is obvious that he has a bone to pick with the NIA that dismissed him. Sociologists call this role conflict. Legal experts call it conflict of interest.

“I don’t know how he found his way into such a critical committee. I think that happened under the Buhari administration. There is an urgent need to review the situation in order to avert a situation where one man will control our entire security architecture,” the police officer declared.

The Coalition for Public Sector Reforms and Accountability (COPSRA), has commended Festus Keyamo (SAN), Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, for his sweeping reforms that have repositioned the Nigerian aviation sector.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Abubakar Garba, president of the coalition, described Keyamo’s approach to governance as “people-first and purpose-driven”, adding that his focus on staff welfare is already yielding tangible results in agency efficiency and service delivery.

“Since assuming office, the Honourable Minister has redefined what leadership means in the public sector. He came in, studied the system, listened to the people, and went straight to work addressing the most ignored but critical part of the sector—its workforce,” he said.

The civic watchdog group confirmed that staff across agencies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and others are now experiencing what it described as “a breath of fresh air” due to significant improvements in welfare, training opportunities, and workplace dignity.

“Keyamo’s leadership has led to renewed motivation among workers in the sector. Salaries are being paid promptly, allowances are no longer pending indefinitely, and the working environment is improving. These may seem basic, but they speak volumes owing to decades of neglect and poor leadership in this key sector,” Garba noted.

He credited Keyamo’s legal background and long-standing advocacy for justice and accountability as pivotal to his reform style.

“His training as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is showing. The man understands systems, understands fairness, and he’s applying that legal precision to fix a critical sector of the economy,” Garba said.

COPSRA also praised the Ministry’s renewed commitment to capacity building, with several staff benefiting from refresher courses and international training programmes that had long been suspended.

The group maintained that union relations in the aviation sector have also improved, adding that even passengers are beginning to notice the improvement in service delivery.

“Aviation is a highly technical field. When you train people, you don’t just empower them—you protect the flying public,” Garba noted.

“You can see a shift from combative interactions to collaborative ones. The Minister engages labour with respect, not disdain. That has calmed tensions and made room for progress.

“We’ve had reports from frequent flyers who say airport processes are smoother, staff are more responsive, and terminals feel better managed. That’s the ripple effect of motivated personnel.”

The coalition also lauded President Bola Tinubu for giving Keyamo the support to reform the Nigerian aviation sector.

“What is happening in aviation is proof that with the right leadership, Nigeria’s public sector can work. Keyamo is showing that reform is not just about policies; it’s about people. We’re not surprised by the results and transformation in the aviation sector,” the coalition added.

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Rivers State has submitted a formal petition to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee overseeing the political crisis in the state.

The petition, signed by 17 CSOs, accused Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.), the state’s Sole Administrator, of gross financial misconduct and alleges he is operating under the directives of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Dated April 16, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of the committee, the petition claimed that Ibas’s actions have worsened the ongoing political crisis and urges the committee to urgently restore democratic governance in Rivers.

The CSOs expressed grave concern over what they describe as “severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity” committed by Ibas, arguing that his conduct contradicts the constitutional principles underpinning the emergency rule declared by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.

“We wish to humbly bring to your attention the severe, provocative and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity which are being executed on a daily basis by the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd.). These actions have been worsening and aggravating the political crises in Rivers State,” the petition reads.

“It is rather regrettable that while your Committee is yet to give any approval of significant measure to the State Administrator, the latter has resorted to taking directives and instructions from Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike. Under the instructions of Chief Wike, he has dismantled the entire structures of democratic governance in Rivers State.”

The CSOs further alleged that over N100 billion in state funds has been spent recklessly with no tangible development to show for it.

“We are further piqued by the reckless, irresponsible and uncontrollable expenditure of funds of the Rivers State Government by the State Administrator without compliance with due and laid down processes,” they assert.

“We understand that the State Administrator has already expended over One Hundred Billion Naira with nothing on ground to show or justify this humongous expenditure.”

They also faulted Ibas for failing to engage political actors or stakeholders to ease tensions or broker peace.

“It is a matter of great worry and regret that since his appointment, the State Administrator has not made any genuine attempt and effort to consult the warring gladiators in the Rivers State crises in order to secure peace and reconciliation between them,” the petition noted.

“The State Administrator has also not made any move to interface with the generality of Rivers State stakeholders so as to forge alliances for the reconciliation of the warring parties and the resolution of the crises.”

In addition, the petitioners accused Ibas of openly favouring Wike’s camp in government appointments and administrative actions.

“What the State Administrator has rather done with shameless impunity is to take side with the Nyesom Wike faction and pilot the affairs of the State as their ally and nominee who is simply playing out his script prepared by them. This, as you know, is clearly unacceptable to the generality of Rivers people,” the document stated.

The coalition urged the House Committee to take urgent steps to ensure accountability and democratic stability.

“We are indeed afraid that if the State Administrator is not immediately checked, he would waste and fritter away all the funds of our state Government on recklessness and designed political heist,” they warned.

In their plea, the CSOs asked the committee to overturn suspensions imposed on political appointees and reinstate all statutory institutions and positions dissolved or altered by the Administrator.

“In view of all the above, we respectfully urge your Honourable Ad-Hoc Committee to immediately order the cancellation and reversal of all suspensions meted out to political appointees in Rivers State by the Sole Administrator. We believe these suspensions were unlawful and aimed at weakening democratic institutions and voices in the state. It is imperative that those appointments be reinstated to protect constitutional order and governance processes,” they stated.

“We further pray that all statutory boards, commissions, and government agencies suspended by the Administrator be restored without delay. Equally, we ask this Honourable Committee to nullify and set aside all such boards, commissions, and agencies that the Administrator has purportedly reconstituted in defiance of due process. These actions, we believe, were carried out with neither legal backing nor consultation and must be reversed to protect institutional integrity.

“We also demand that the Honourable Committee reverse the appointment of Administrators in the twenty-three Local Government Councils and reinstate the status quo that existed before the Sole Administrator’s assumption of office. These local government changes are a direct assault on local autonomy and the democratic will of the people. In addition, we call for a thorough and transparent probe into all financial expenditures carried out by the Administrator since his appointment.

“Lastly, we strongly urge this Committee to issue an immediate directive halting any plans by the Administrator to conduct local government elections in Rivers State under the current illegal structure. We also ask that the state of emergency be lifted and the Sole Administrator removed from office, as the conditions that led to his appointment no longer exist. Most importantly, we call for the full restoration of democratic governance in Rivers State, including the reinstatement of Sir Siminalayi Fubara as the duly elected Governor,” the petitioners concluded.

The petition bears the signatures of several prominent civil society and professional leaders, including Mrs. Cordelia U. Eke, NBA Port Harcourt Chairman; Abiye A. Abo, Esq., NBA Degema; Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ph.D), NBA Ahoada; Tamunosiki A. Roberts, Esq., NBA Okrika; Dr. Godswill U. Dike, Lawyers Vanguard for Good Governance; Chizy Enyi Esq., Initiative For Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership; and Chetam Thierry Nwala Esq., Solomon’s Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Initiative.

Additional signatories include Bethel Nte, Rivers Alliance For Good Governance; Comr. Solomon Len, Ogoni Development Drive; The Most Snr. Comr. Emeni Ibe, Orashi National Congress; Ahata Kaio, Rivers State Indigenous Muslim Community; Compalloo Epelle, Push For Good Governance; Comr. Victory Chijioke Amadi, NURSS National; Comr. Frank Egb, NANS ZONE B; and Comr. Jokiel Gideon, NANS JCC Chairman, Rivers State.

Their petition shows the increasing frustration among Rivers people with the ongoing administration under emergency rule, with the demand for transparency, accountability, and a return to democratic governance.